According to recent research, the more severe the periodontal disease, the higher the risk of hypertension.
A healthy mind in a healthy body and healthy teeth for a healthy life? Scientific work has already proven that oral health is linked to that of other organs in the human body. A new study confirms this link: people with periodontitis are more likely to suffer from hypertension. The research was published on the website of The European Society of Cardiology.
Extensive data analysis
Periodontitis is a disease of infectious origin, which affects the tissues that surround and support the tooth. It first causes inflammation of the gums, then spreads to the bones. If the patient is not treated, he may suffer from loosening or even loss of teeth.
“Hypertension could be the triggering factor for heart attacks in patients with periodontitis,” says Professor Francesco D’Aiuto, lead author of the research. With his team, they compiled data from 81 studies carried out on the subject: all of them gathered data on the heart health of people with periodontitis. According to their analyses, patients with periodontitis are more likely to suffer from hypertension, compared to those without. When the disease is between the moderate and severe stage, the risk of hypertension is increased by 22%. When it goes beyond the severe stage, it is 49% higher.
A link still unclear
“In many countries around the world, adds Francesco D’Aiuto, oral health is not regularly checked, and periodontitis remains untreated for years. Our hypothesis is that this situation of systemic inflammation ( …) is added to other existing risk factors.” Researchers now want to understand the exact nature of the link between periodontitis and hypertension, in particular whether people with hypertension also have a higher risk of being affected by periodontal disease.
In France, between 10 and 14 million people suffer from hypertension.
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